Ronald L. Kasten
Dec. 30, 1935 – March 13, 2026

Ronald Lee Kasten died March 13, 2026. He was born Dec. 30, 1935 in Centralia, Ill., and baptized Jan. 2, 1936. He confessed his baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation April 10, 1949 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, Mo.

Kasten was preceded by his parents, Albert and Edna Kasten, who moved their growing family from Centralia to Overland in 1943 where Kasten and his sisters attended Our Redeemer Lutheran School and Lutheran High School Central in St. Louis. He then attended Concordia Teachers college in River Forest, Ill., where he met his future wife, Lois, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. He subsequently received a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

Kasten served four parishes as school principal, teacher, and/or minister of education including Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albany, N.Y., from 1959 to 1967; his childhood church and school, Our Redeemer Lutheran in Overland, Mo., from 1967 to 1981, Hales Corners Lutheran Church and School in Hales Corners, Wis., from 1981 to 1997 and Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior in Green Valley, Ariz., from 1997 to 2004. Once retired, Kasten continued to serve our Lord and Savior through Harvesters for Christ and Stephen Ministries. He enjoyed cross-country travel and visiting family and lifelong friends. In 2019, he moved back to Missouri to be closer to family where he was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington, Mo.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 66 years, Lois Kasten (née Grotelueschen) of Washington; three children: Nathan Kasten (Kathy) of Sapulpa, Okla., Lenore Berlinski (Mark) of Murphy, N.C., and Claire Knehans (Mark) of Villa Ridge, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Julie Kasten of Dover, Del.; eight grandchildren: Hannah, Shyaan, Ryan, Jacob (Lauren), Adam (Clare), Nicholas (Sarah), Matthew (Hannah), and Henry (Meredith); six great-grandchildren: Judah, Violet, Walter, Launhardt, Madeline, and Margaret; two beloved sisters, Janice Flentke of St. Peters, Mo., Lois Jobe of Ballwin, Mo., and sister-in-law, Joan Grotelueschen of Phoenix, Ariz.

Kasten will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, positive outlook, and gentle and calm spirit in all circumstances. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, ESV).  Kasten will be dearly missed by those left behind as we look forward to being reunited with him in heaven.

Kasten’s funeral service was held April 17, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington, Mo. Interment was at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Concordia Center for the Family.